Microsoft, recording industry discuss Longhorn and DRM

Record labels are trying to get Microsoft (and Apple) to support their DRM …

Wide-ranging support for music CD copy protection may be built into Longhorn, if a group of music labels gets their way. The labels have approached Microsoft with a "wish list" of copy protection features they would like to see supported in Longhorn. Along with ensuring that whatever scheme chosen by the labels works with Longhorn, the recording industry wants the end user experience to be as seamless as possible. EMI, the label at the forefront of the talks, wants to see support built into the OS to the point that when a protected CD is inserted, the usage rules defined by the label will be recognized and respected by Longhorn.

For its part, Microsoft (which refused to comment on the talks) is apparently open to requests on the part of the music industry, but wants a unified wish list as opposed to being hit with a barrage of competing proposals. If they can get whatever copy protection scheme chosen by the labels to work as transparently as Windows Media's DRM, that will make the RIAA happy.

"Longhorn done the right way could really advance that cause," one source familiar with the talks said. "Longhorn done the wrong way could significantly frustrate everyone involved."

Microsoft is understandably leery of providing support for schemes that are overly aggressive or otherwise intrusive. Shipping Longhorn with support for RIAA-driven copy protection machinations that radically differ from the user experience under earlier versions of Windows could lead to lower adoption of Longhorn as consumers opt to stick with XP and less-intrusive DRM.

With Longhorn not due until 2006 and copy protection and DRM technology still in flux, nothing is likely to be decided for some time. The labels have also had "early conversations" with Apple about the issue and plan to make their wish list available to any interested DRM or OS vendor.

Eric Bangeman
Eric has been using personal computers since 1980 and writing about them at Ars Technica since 2003, where he currently serves as Managing Editor. Twitter@ericbangeman